Press Release
Smart First To Connect Basilan-Sulu-Tawi-Tawi Via Microwave Backbone
[July 16, 2007/ Manila] - Leading wireless services provider Smart Communications, Inc. (SMART) announced today that it now connects the far-flung, off-grid island provinces of Basilan, Sulu, and Tawi-tawi via terrestrial microwave radio, making available in these areas new services such as 3G cellular services and high-speed broadband Internet.
Smart has installed on six strategic mountain-top areas relay stations that form the backbone of a communications highway connecting the three provinces to the Mindanao mainland via SDH microwave radio.
A terrestrial link, such as SDH microwave radio system, provides a more stable, reliable, and efficient wireless connection than via satellite (VSAT), which had previously been used to link these provinces.
More options for more people
Smart’s enhancement of its cellular and broadband Internet networks benefits the residents of the 37 municipalities of Basilan, Sulu, and Tawi-tawi by allowing them to use applications previously unavailable to them because of the relatively limited bandwidth capacity of VSAT. These new services include multimedia messaging (MMS), GRPS, and Internet-surfing via their mobile handsets via GPRS.
Smart has blanketed Jolo, the capital of Sulu, with 3rd generation cellular coverage, allowing residents access to such services as video calling, video streaming, high-speed Internet browsing, and downloading of special 3G content.
In its commitment to connect every corner of the country to the rest of the world via the Internet, Smart has also introduced its wireless broadband service, Smart Bro in Jolo. As the company’s wireless broadband network continues to grow, the rest of Sulu, as well as Basilan and Tawi-tawi, will enjoy the same cutting-edge services in the future.
Driving convergence and innovation
These enhancements of its Mindanao coverage will further bolster Smart's wireless leadership in the country, and accelerate the introduction of innovative broadband access and other wireless services to the country’s most remote and rural areas.
“The enhancement of our cellular and broadband networks in Basilan, Sulu and Tawi Tawi represents a considerable investment of time, effort, and resources. We are proud of our engineers who designed and implemented this program. This is part of our continuing commitment to expand and fortify our network infrastructure all over the country and offer convergent communications services that are relevant to Filipinos here and overseas,” says Napoleon L. Nazareno, Smart President and chief and executive officer.
About SMART
Smart Communications, Inc. is the Philippines' leading wireless services provider with 25.5 million subscribers on its GSM network as of end-March 2007. Of its total subscriber base, 18.1 million subscribers are served under the brands Smart Buddy, Smart Gold, and Smart Infinity. Another 7.4 million subscribers are served through its subsidiary, Pilipino Telephone Corp., under the brand Talk 'N Text. SMART has built a reputation for innovation, having introduced world-first wireless data services, including mobile commerce services such as Smart Money, Smart Load, and Smart Padala. SMART also offers a 3G service, Smart 3G, and a wireless broadband service, Smart Bro. SMART is a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Philippines' leading telecommunications carrier, the Philippine Long Distance Telephone Company.